Part VIII Love Like in a Fairytale

"You don't need to explain me anything José. I know exactly what happened. We -Amanda and I- went to your house the next morning after finding that you hadn't gone fishing that day. I -we- were not mad at you. In fact we were there to help you... And please never say it was pity", Don Armando faced Cindirillo, speaking to him in a fatherly tone.

"I... I didn't know", a thick knot tightened inside his throat. "But, how could I know! I thought she hated me for not telling her I was poor... Don't be offended Don Armando, but I had to go and it had nothing to do with your daughter... It was everything else. I was living in hell, feeling doomed; a prisoner of fate, a fate that was imposed to me in the worst way. I was condemned to do nothing, to be a nobody if I stayed. I was tired of being humiliated, of living in slavery in modern times. I needed the chance to escape and it was that night or it was never. And it hurt, oh yes it hurt to quit things I had just started to enjoy, to know... to love. That night something was revealed to me and that was that I had to grow up as a man and take my own decisions, even though they seemed drastic. I had to throw that heavy burden off my shoulders to carry on with my life."

"She knew you were poor all the time... Amanda is a noble lady and she was taught to never discriminate. Money doesn't make a person, values and moral standards do. And you my friend, because I always considered you my friend, are a highly moral person. I saw you dancing with my daughter... I had never been a fool despite my gray hair José and I had eyes that night everywhere. It is my hotel! I knew of that kiss, but it was my daughter who chose to kiss you... And to be honest, I was happy for Amanda because I considered you a most suitable prospective, no matter if you were poor or not. You're a hard working man, respectful and kind and gold doesn't buy that."

Cindirillo cried bitterly in his room as he recalled the conversation he had with Don Armando Gighliotti at the marina earlier in the morning. But, what he could do then and what he could do now. Leaving was the best thing to do in that moment even if it meant to renounce to his first love. And deep inside, he truly believed they weren't meant for each other. He was a simpleton, a fisher boy and she was the princess of a fairytale... A fairytale that never begun with a 'Once Upon' a time and that never had a 'they lived happily ever after' as an end.

For Cindirillo it was time to pass on the page and he was getting ready to hang out with Luis that night at the beach club. He deserved it. After so many years of privations and then eight years of hard work and active duty in the NAVY he believed it was time to live his life and cast away the ghost of the past... A past that lasted only an ephemeral kiss.

José was about to leave home when the bell rang at the front door. How strange, he thought. He told Luis they would meet at the club... Or maybe he told him to meet in his house?

Keys in hand, the man opened the door to find a most beautiful lady standing at his porch. He felt he was about to faint when a thousand butterflies winged inside his stomach. He knew who she was.

"Hi... I heard you were in town, and I came to see you", Amanda's sweet voice chimed in Cindirillo's ears. "Can I come in?" The brunette asked, glowing a thin timid smile.

"Sure... eh... Come in", José managed to say all baffled by the moment. Not that he expected to never see her again -yet sometimes he hoped- in such a small town, but certainly not that soon. Not this soon. "Amanda... I.."

"Shhh", the girl placed her pointing finger on his lips. "Time stopped for me José. When I close my eyes, the last thing I remember was that kiss. I only treasured the good moments we spent together knowing that it was not your fault and it was something that had to happen. Eight years passed and I knew you were coming back and here I am, only wishing to resume things up, to tie that beautiful instant and perpetuate it with the present... with the now. I always knew that that first kiss between us, wouldn't be the last one." Amanda's voice broke, a tear of joy -of love- rolled down her cheek, only to be wiped off by Cindirillo as he gently stroke her face with his thumb.

There was no need to say anything else. Indeed, time had stopped for Amanda and Cindirillo in such a magical way and it was time to take things as they left them eight years ago. José leaned closer to Amanda, their noses playfully brushing as they giggled like teenagers, the way they did after their first kiss. He wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulling her towards him, he kissed her ardently. They both moaned and gasped exuding passion. That kiss resumed all the kisses they didn't not give as they regaled each other sweet lovers caresses standing in the middle of the living room.

Their lips reddened and swollen after the long lasting kiss refused to but separated finally, still they craved for more. "A little birdie told me you were going out tonight", Amanda arched an eyebrow, waiting for Cindirillo's reply.

"Oh, yes... But I can cancel it with Luis right away if you ask me", he replied without hesitation.

"Oh, but why? Tonight is salsa night at the club and remember, you owe me a dance." The lady extended her hand to him and both left smiling knowing that now was their time to retake, to revive that enchanting memory when they first met; the time to love each other and to live together happily ever after.

The End

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What a journey! I hope you have enjoyed the story. If you do like it, it will be amazing if you let me know with your votes and comments! Thank you very much for your support!